Last Friday the University released a set of requested documents to The Oregonian revealing that the new John E. Jaqua Academic Center cost approximately $41.7 million dollars to build.
A 17-page estimate of the building’s cost produced by construction consultant Rider Levett Bucknall, one of the two items received from the University’s Office of Public Records, showed that construction and landscaping costs came in at just under $30 million, while an e-mail from University campus planning official Chris Ramey detialed an additional $12 million for things such as equipment and design fees.
Funded by perennial University supporter Phil Knight, the 37,000 square foot structure cost about $1,100 per square foot to build in total, an amount well exceeding even some of the most expensive real estate in Oregon.
“Forty million dollars buys a lot of new faculty, reduced class sizes, better facilities for the rest of campus,” UO senate president Nathan Tublitz told The Oregonian. “It is a travesty to spend so much money for the benefit of such a small subset of students who already receive enormous perks.”
Although the state-of-the-art structure with its all-glass façade sits at the front entrance to campus, two of its three floors are only open to athletes competing for the University — roughly 500 students out of the University’s 22,000 enrollees. Some have called into question the design elements of the building, including the center’s white oak flooring and commissioned artwork, saying that the building is far too opulent and furthers the perception that University athletics often overshadow the school’s academic efforts.
“Its a really nice building,” University sports marketing senior Taber Webb said, “but I don’t understand why the best building on campus is reserved for less than one percent of the student population. My tuition is spiking every year because supposedly Oregon doesn’t have enough money, but then you see things like Jaqua and its quartz stone fireplace on the first floor, and you begin to wonder what the deal is.”
University spokesperson Phil Weiler emphasized that the Jaqua Center was a gift from Knight and the University had no control over how the donated money was spent.
“The building was a gift,” Weiler told the Oregonian. “When someone buys you a birthday present, you don’t ask them how much they spent for it.”
In June, the University went before the State Board of Higher Education to request a bypass of the public bid process to allow Knight to construct an 80,000 square foot addition to the Len Casanova Athletic Center for the football program. The project would include a UO Football Hall of Fame, covered parking and 20,000 square foot weightroom.

[email protected]